The Song of the Lark (Willa Cather, 1915)

Cather remains a favorite author, though I'm noticing that I'm not quite as enthusiastic when re-reading some of her novels. But still excellent, highly recommended. 

Quick Gemini summary:  "The Song of the Lark is Willa Cather's 1915 novel about Thea Kronborg, a Swedish-American woman from a small Colorado town who rises to become a famous opera singer, inspired by the real-life soprano Olive Fremstad. The story traces her journey from childhood in the fictional town of Moonstone, through Chicago, to the Metropolitan Opera, focusing on her artistic development, ambition, and the sacrifices she makes, all set against the backdrop of the American West. It is considered the second book in Cather's "Prairie Trilogy," following O Pioneers! and preceding My Ántonia."

I like several of the characters - Dr. Archie; Ray Kennedy (his final scene is well done); Spanish Johnny; Wunsch; Fred Ottenberg comes along. 

Thea spends time in the southwest US recuperating (from some illness) during one summer, arriving by train in Flagstaff and hanging out in a not-too-distant canyonland that has Native American ruins. Cather clearly appreciates our part of the world; we had just visited Chinle a couple weeks prior so this resonated.

Discussions of musical performance and art, I think it works.  

Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady (Samuel Richardson, 1748)

This is "a landmark 18th-century epistolary novel by Samuel Richardson, published in 1748, about a virtuous young woman, Clarissa Harlowe, who defies her family's wishes to marry a wealthy man and instead flees with the charming but villainous rake, Robert Lovelace, leading to her tragic downfall."

Here we are closing in on 300 years later - it's still considered the longest novel ever written - I read that it has 950,000 words and originally was published in seven volumes.

Which is why I quit about 10% of the way through (already a lot of reading!) I enjoyed the part I read but do not want to commit the time to read the entire novel. The epistolary method was working quite well, but still. 

Persian Fire - The First World Empire and the Battle for the West (Tom Holland, 2005)

Much of this covers pretty familiar ground - but lots of interesting new details and Holland always has an interesting take on things. I had read an innovative way of telling the story last year, so this book was an excellent follow-on. 

Assyrian to Medes to Persians. Via Cyrus. All three groups crazy successful, especially the Persians.

Darius usurps from Cyrus #2 son who usurped from Cyrus #1 son (Cambyses) 

Persians as relative upstarts coming in from the east.

Sparta - what a culture.

Athens democracy arrives in 507 BC as a last resort for Cleisthenes   This happens during the reign of Darius.  Implementing democracy - or something - seemed to galvanize the population. 

Battle of Marathon page 195 and following. A completely unexpected victory for Athens acting pretty much by itself.

Notwithstanding land battle success, Themistocles persuades Athens to build ships and rely on a navy for the next fight. This was a difficult persuasive effort.

Xerxes succeeds Darius and prepares to teach Athens and Sparta a lesson, great preparation underway.

Page 258 explaining the 300 - Spartans remove main army because of religious holiday normally requiring truce. The 300, plus some allies, were thought or hoped to be sufficient to hold Thermopylae.  It worked out well enough. 

The battle concludes after Thermopylae with some naval engagements etc.  Persia makes a few more attempts, but Xerxes needs to head home and invasion efforts finally fizzle out.